Court OKs Warrantless Cell Phone Search In California

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The California Supreme Court has ruled that police do not need a warrant to search a cell phone carried by someone under arrest.

The justices ruled Monday that a Ventura County sheriff’s deputy had the right to conduct a warrantless search of the text messages of a man he had arrested on suspicion of participating in a drug deal.

The state court ruled 5-2 that federal precedent affirms that police can search items found on defendants when they are arrested.

The Ohio Supreme Court ruled in 2009 that police did not have that right.

California Deputy Attorney General Victoria Wilson told the San Francisco Chronicle that the split between the two states could lead the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in on the issue.